Shabby Chic Shack: How I Started My Upcycling Business

August 2014 Stacey Meikle was on maternity leave after having her little boy. During this time, she entered the Make It Yours competition and realised her love for upcycling.

She went on to launch her own business – Stacey’s Shabby Chic Shack shop. Here, she tells us about her journey and shares her top tips for upcycling success…

Tell us how you got started in the world of upcycling?

SM: I got started in the fantastic world of upcycling when my husband and I found two pieces of furniture at a nearby car boot sale some years ago and decided they looked good together. It was a piece of sideboard and the top of an old dresser - they stayed in their poor, ugly state in our kitchen for years until I decided one day to have a go at painting them. The end result was amazing and so many people told me I should go into business so I painted a few more pieces and found out that there is a real market for upcycled furniture.

What is it about making things unique that you love most?

SM: I love that they are not something you can just buy off a production line. Each of my pieces are unique to me, I put so much love and effort into making something striking and different.

Where is your business based?

SM: Like many small business mine is currently based at home in Coventry, West Midlands – but I am hoping that will change soon!

What was the first piece you upcycled?

SM: The first piece I ever upcycled was two scrap pieces of furniture which I put together to create a dresser. I painted it using Rust-Oleum Chalky Finish Furniture Paint in Duck Egg and Antique White then sanded it for a shabby chic look. I entered this into the Rust-Oleum Make It Yours competition and won it was then I knew I had a talent for this and should continue.

What’s your all-time favourite piece?

SM: It has to be a set of farmhouse chairs I painted in Rust-Oleum Chalky Finish Furniture Paint in Pumpkin and Antique White. I used a decoupage technique to create a blue rose pattern to the seat and back rest – I now use these as bedside tables they’re very unique, which of course, I love!

What are your top 5 tips for people thinking about upcycling their furniture?

1. Don’t throw anything away! You’ll always find a use for it somewhere.

2. If you want to paint your furniture get a good set of paint brushes designed for chalk paint.

3. Always turn the furniture upside and paint from top to bottom.

4. Always paint in a well-ventilated and light filled area so you can see what you are doing.

5. Let your imagination run away with you! Nothing is out the question, you can always find a way to do something if you try hard enough!

Why do you use Rust-Oleum paints for your projects?

SM: I have used many different brands now and always find Rust- Oleum is the best for me. I can mix the paints together to create the colours I need. I find Rust- Oleum has the best finish for me out of all the other brands I have tried.

What are your ambitions for the future?

SM: I would love to open up my own shop one day, somewhere to display my pieces to the public. I would eventually like to be able to hold workshops to show other people how they can create beautiful pieces for their home.

For more on Stacey’s Shabby Chic Shack visit the shop site or follow her on Facebook.